We live in a culture that seeks comfort at every turn. We feel we deserve to make things easy on ourselves, to indulge in whatever suits us. We want what everyone else has, but do not want to work to get it. Some have found it profitable to panhandle instead of work. They stand on street corners and beg, and print lies on signs to prey on the sympathy of others. They would rather beg than work an honest day’s work. A couple of years ago a major broadcast network followed one such panhandler and found this person was living a very profitable life. She was not only making a living do this she was pocketing several thousands of dollars a week by telling lies and begging. In Dallas, newspapers reported in December of 2016, that panhandlers were making on an average of $50.00 an hour! It’s no wonder when you tell them McDonald’s is hiring they’re not willing to take you up on the offer.
I know there are thousands of people who are poor because of circumstances beyond their control. The Bible even tells us the poor we will have with us always in Matthew 26:11. The Bible instructs us to take care of the poor and assist where we can help. I believe if a brother or sister has a need, and we can help we are obligated to do so. So, this devotion is not about negating the need to help those who are doing the best they can but still have needs. However, it is going to deal with the responsibility that we must work for what we get.
In Proverbs 20:4 “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.”
We are told here that the sluggard, lazy man, will not plow his fields because it’s a little chilly. Plowing time was not in the depth of winter, but the edge or beginning of the winter season. The beginning of Fall brings a chilly air, but not bitter cold. He chooses to be in perfect comfort and ignore the facts. Fact 1, when Spring comes the ground will not be ready for the seed. Fact 2, when everyone else is reaping a harvest to feed their family, he will have none. Fact 3, he will resort to begging because he chose to stay in with the warmth of a home and be lazy!
The person who is lazy will offer all kinds of excuses. This man said it was too cold. Some will say “I ran out of time,” “I was too tired” or “I didn’t understand.” Any excuse to avoid what they don’t want to do is used. The sad part is they fool themselves into believing they are justified in their actions and expect others to pick up their slack. They may feel bad when they let someone down, but not bad enough to change. The Bible even says they consider themselves wise.
In Proverbs 26:16 “The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.”
I grew up with an Uncle like this. He was always trying to get something for nothing. We considered him to be lazy, and a con artist. He would talk my grandparents into giving him money for some idea he had, that would “set him up for life,” only to start a project that he never finished. He was too lazy to implement his own plan. He finally convinced the government he was disabled and begin to draw a check from them. This also was due to his own laziness. He was trying to jump on a train, get a ride without paying, and fell and injured his leg.
The sad part of the story is he never changed. He died thinking he knew more than anyone else concerning the way he lived his life, even God. He died lost!
God sees laziness as a sin! It is not just a lifestyle that will ultimately harm your physical life, it is a lifestyle that is the opposite of what God intended.
The New Testament speaks of this also in II Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” The church was not responsible for those who would not work to help themselves if they were able.
All throughout the Bible, we are told not to be idle, not to be slothful, and not to support those who are. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and examine our work ethic. Are we willing to let others do things we are able to do? Are we willing to do with less because we are lazy, yet complain because others have more? If you are tired, it may be because you need to exercise to gain energy.
We may fool ourselves and others, but we will not fool God. He expects us to work, and work hard. He sees our poor attitudes and careless ways, and it is not pleasing to him. Make up your mind you will work! Our bodies need rest, but it’s a proven fact that the more you don’t do, the lazier you get. Determine you will do all you can to be a positive influence in this way. It’s part of being a good testimony to the world.
